The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I fully understand that every child has the right to education, yet there are many barriers to learning, particularly for girls who are the most vulnerable. Worldwide, 262 million children and youth, of whom 130 million are girls, are denied education. This is due to gender discrimination, disability, conflict, natural disaster and a lack of government spending.

I strongly believe that structures and systems that disadvantage and stop girls and children from learning and getting prepared for dynamic and unknown future should be eradicated and permanently removed.

Some girls are exposed to early marriages and forced child marriages. Some children experience the horrific female genital mutilation (FGM) which is the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons.

It’s also known as female circumcision or cutting. It can be extremely dangerous and can cause severe pain, shock, bleeding, infection such as tetanus, HIV and hepatitis B and C, organ damage, blood loss and infections, death in some cases. Politicians and religious leaders should use their positions and influence to educate the society on the health and psychological effect of the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

HANDSEN CHIKOWORE

United Kingdom,

October 11, 2020.